Book Fifteen

Zeus awakes, and sees Poseidon fighting, Hector hurt
“Hera! This is all your fault! You’ll get your just dessert!”
“Who me?” says Hera sweetly, “now you’re being quite absurd
I would have told Poseidon that he should obey your word.”
“Alright”, says Zeus, “but nonetheless, the story’s gone off course
Hector needs to lead the Trojans to the ships and force
Patroclus to join the fight, slay Sarpedon, then die
At the hands of Hector – which will make Achilles cry
He will rejoin the battle, and kill Hector, win great glory
Later, Troy itself will fall – but that’s another story.”
Iris is sent to tell Poseidon he must quit the fight
“It’s so unfair! I am his brother! Oh, go on, alright.”
Apollo visits Hector, whose strength he does restore
Now Hector and Apollo, with Zeus’ aegis, go to war
The Trojans reach the Argive ships, to burn them is their goal
Only Ajax holds them back, he wields a twelve-foot pole.